We’ve been talking about success. However, maybe you aren’t there yet. Maybe right now you are just looking for a job to survive. Been there, too. The first thing you need to do is polish up that resume. I’ve just done that myself since someone send me a posting about a counseling position. (It is just a few hours a week. Since I wasn’t looking for anything, my resume really needed a “revamp”.) 

Job hunting right now is a very competitive and at times can be a cut-throat affair. Read on for some tips to help you get the edge in searching for and landing the job of your dreams.

The Curriculum Vitae or Resume
The Resume is the first, and usually the most important part of applying for a job. Potential employers have to narrow down possible hundreds of resumes to a few interesting ones, and they have to base their efforts on what’s on those resumes.

Most studies show that about half of the employers decide to accept or reject job applications based on the work experience listed in the resume that is relevant to the jobe being filled. A third of the employers decide to reject or accept these job applications based on the actual layout design of these applications.

1. Make Your Resume Stand Out
When preparing your CV, make sure your’s stands out among the rest. It should be appealing to the eyes, making the evaluating personnel want to read the CV. Step two is for you to make sure your Resume lists the related work experience you have had in relation to the job you are applying for. This is important. You may need to tailor several individual resumes to particular job categories.

2. Make Your Resume Concise and Relevant
Avoid making your CV’s too long. It may make it irrelevant to the evaluator. Remember that the employer is a person to whom time is important. If your Resume shows that you value his/her time while showing the most relevant information quickly, you will have won one important battle.

3. Always tailor your CV to the job.
As mentioned aobve,you may have had previous experience that may not be related to the job you are applying for. Some people keep many different versions of their Resume for different job opening categories. Make sure your Resume is appropriate for that particular job. A one-size-fits-all Resume may not be the best way to go since the employer will have the impression that your previous efforts have not been focused enough to produce any specialization on your part.

4. Write about your achievements
You may add your achievements, but make your statements factual and relevant. It does’n hurt to advertise yourself, but make your statements matter-of-fact and not just hot air. You may want to skip on listing your weak points as the Resume is not the right time for such discussions.

5. Polish Your Resume
Your employer will know if you have put enough time into producing the Resume. If he/she sees that you have put sufficient and thorough effort into it, he/she will assume that you will do the same in your work. This is a bonus for you. (No spelling, grammer or formating errors!) It is not uncommon for some people to spend days or even weeks polishing and buffing their Resumes.

Hope these tips help you out. Let me know what else you need.

Dr. Kary